# South African wine competition results

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-wine-competition-results
> Updated: 2026-10-14T14:11:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 3.

In September 2026, South Africa held major wine competitions for two prominent varieties.

The Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge announced its winners after three days of blind judging 150 entries from 97 producers. Six of the ten winning wines were sourced from heritage vineyards aged 35 years or older. Judges characterized the top selections by their “purity of fruit, freshness, elegance, and site expression.”

Concurrently, the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 celebrated its 20th anniversary by announcing 20 finalists. These finalists were selected from 159 entries submitted by 95 producers, featuring a mix of vintages from 2024 to 2026. The judging panel noted that the leading wines showed “strong balance, concentration, and varietal expression,” specifically praising the restrained use of oak in wooded selections.

In October 2026, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa revealed the final winners of the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 during a celebration at Weltevreden Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The winning selection, comprising six wooded and four unwooded wines, highlighted diverse styles with notable representation from regions such as Cape Town and Elgin. The winners included: Carmen Stevens Sauvignon Blanc 2025, De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Groot Phesantekraal Marizanne 2025, Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2026, La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Lomond Seven Rows Ben Nevis Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Quoin Rock Nicobar 2025, Steenberg Black Swan 2025, Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2025, and Wildeberg Terroirs Sauvignon Blanc 2025.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-14: Sauvignon Blanc South Africa announces 2026 Top 10 winners

Sauvignon Blanc South Africa announced the 2026 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 winners in Stellenbosch, showcasing a diverse range of wooded and unwooded wines from across the country.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sauvignon-blanc-south-africa-announces-2026-top-10-winners

### 2026-09-16: FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 announces 20 finalists

The FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 has named 20 finalists from 159 entries to celebrate its 20th year, showcasing a diverse range of vintages and styles from South African producers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fnb-sauvignon-blanc-sa-top-10-announces-20-finalists

### 2026-09-14: South Africa announces 2026 Chenin Blanc Top 10 winners

The 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 winners have been announced in South Africa, highlighting the quality of heritage vineyards and the variety's significant role in the nation's wine industry.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-announces-2026-chenin-blanc-top-10-winners

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Cite as: South African wine competition results. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-wine-competition-results